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9/11 Health and Compensation

On January 2, 2011, President Obama Signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) into law. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney spent nearly a decade fighting to pass this important law, which has provided medical monitoring, treatment, and compensation to those sick and injured from the September 11th attacks.

The Zadroga Act’s two critical programs providing medical treatment and compensation for 9/11 heroes – the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund – were set to shut down and stop providing medical care and compensation by October 2016.

The World Trade Center Health Program was permanently extended, and an additional $4.6 billion was provided to fully fund the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 signed into law December 18, 2015.

More on 9/11 Health and Compensation

Emergency workers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 will have their health coverage extended as part of a $1.1tn government spending bill passed by Congress on Tuesday.

The renewal of the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act covers for the next 75 years first responders who became sick after working at Ground Zero and reopens the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund for the next five years.

Congress is set to permanently fund the 9/11 health care bill known as the Zadroga Act -- a major win for emergency first responders. The vote this week will provide them with medical treatment for life. NY1 Washington bureau reporter Geoff Bennett was first to report the deal-making in the House and has the story.

"A quarter of my life, I’m 48," said 9/11 first responder John Feal. "A quarter of my life has been spent in D.C. advocating for 9/11 responders like myself."

In the end, the personal pleas, press conferences, and public shaming of lawmakers paid off.

NEW YORK – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today released the following statement on the inclusion of a provision to extend the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in the must-pass omnibus spending bill that will be considered by Congress this week:

WASHINGTON — The long, hard fight to reauthorize funds for 9/11 survivors is finally coming to an end.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) made public must-pass legislation that includes funding for the Zadroga Act Tuesday night. The bill includes near-permanent extension of the health care program for first responders and others suffering from long-term health problems, according to lawmakers, and a five-year, $4.6 billion extension of the victims compensation fund that helps first responders and their families meet ends meet when they can't work or die from their health problems.

In a major victory for ailing first responders, congressional negotiators included an $8.1 billion measure to renew the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package that was finalized and released Tuesday night, lawmakers said.

The measure would extend the World Trade Center Health Program for 75 years with $3.5 billion in funding to monitor and care for 73,000 responders and survivors. It also would provide $4.6 billion for the Victim’s Compensation Fund, which it renewed for another five years.

The first responders and survivors of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, share a common bond.

They both endured the most tragic attack on United States soil in our history. Although many of the first responders and survivors never met one another during that day, many have since become close friends, as evidenced by speeches and appearances made at the 9/11 memorial every year.

After tirelessly lobbying Congress since late summer, the first responders who spent months working at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, are set to finally receive lifetime medical care for the illnesses attributable to their time on "the pile."

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act is included in the must-pass $1.1 trillion spending package — also referred to as the omnibus — making what is essentially a permanent extension to the health care program for first responders.